Street Style: Stony Brook University

Not everyone dresses up to attend long-winding lectures on astrology or sociology. However, at Stony Brook University, some students put their best foot forward and create sartorial sensations. Here are a few. -- Matthew T. Murray

(Credit: Matthew T. Murray)

Annie Keown brings her eclectic style to Long Island all the way from New Zealand. "I combine different styles," she says. "It's a little hipster but it can be kinda punky and eccentric." Her favorite labels are New Zealand-native Karen Walker's wild designs and funky fast-fashion chain Topshop, available in the United States by shopping online or trekking to SoHo in Manhattan.
Shirt: Glassons
Skirt: Dotti
Shoes: Overland
Belt: Thrifted
Necklace: Claire's

(Credit: Matthew T. Murray)

Although most of Annie Keown's clothing and accessories are from New Zealand, this necklace is actually a treasured find from accessories store Claire's at the Smith Haven Mall. Statement-making necklaces like this one are a great way to capture attention come spring.

(Credit: Matthew T. Murray)

"I make an effort to dress up because everyone is always in sweats," says senior Bushra Mollick. "I feel like you have to dress for the job you want not the job you have." Mollick describes her style as "urban professional" and wears button-downs with sleek jackets as her go-to outfit. Jacket: Vintage Shirt: H & M Belt: Gap Jeans: PacSun

Elianne Gabbay's style is collegiate prep done right. A graphic T-shirt, light-washed jeans rolled up, beaten-up boat shoes and great shades are the building blocks for a perfect spring outfit.

(Credit: Matthew T. Murray)

T-shirts with slogans and loud graphics are a great way to inject some personality into your spring look. Elianne Gabbay's T-shirt is fun and brightly hued. "I love T-shirts with a vintage look that you can just throw on with a pair of True Religion jeans," she says. "It's an easy, functional look for class but doesn't look lazy or boring."

(Credit: Matthew T. Murray)

"Today, I have to be on camera for a broadcast journalism class so this is a facade," says junior Ethan Friedman. "I prefer a casual style so this feels unnatural to me, but it's nice to be dressed up for a change."

(Credit: Matthew T. Murray)

Dressing up in a suit and tie is not common on campus, but Ethan Friedman makes it look natural, proving that you can rock the look as long as you tone it down with jeans and worn-in sneakers.
Blazer: Joseph Abboud
Jacket and jeans: H & M
Tie: Pierre Cardin
Bag: Thrifted

(Credit: Matthew T. Murray)

"I'm not one for purchasing expensive items so I aim for affordable items that don't look cheap," says Iana Hadjiyska. "I love this scarf. It's still pretty cold so I'll wear it with a jacket but once it gets warmer, I'll wear the scarf with a T-shirt and jeans."
Jacket and leggings: H&M
Ombre scarf: Bought on a trip to Bulgaria
Boots: Steve Madden

At Stony Brook, style is often impacted by the look of your roommate. Here, Vikki Gaborov, Iana Hadjiyska's roommate, dons a near-identical outfit proving that the best solution for brisk days is a functional, utility jacket and fun scarf with a pair of flat-heeled boots. "I'm surprised if people like my style because I just throw things together and hope it works," Gaborov said. "I like to add the occasional flare, though, and when it gets warmer, I'll whip out crop tops and leather shorts."

(Credit: Matthew T. Murray)

Flat-heeled boots are the most functional footwear for the trek to class. Vikki Gaborov, left, rocks a caramel-colored pair from Coach while Iana Hadjiyska's pair is from Steve Madden. "It's easy to wear these when rushing to 8:30 a.m. class, so I wear them a lot even though I have dope Stuart Weitzman platforms in my closet and ASOS wedge booties," Gaborov said. "I save those for the weekend!"

(Credit: Matthew T. Murray)

"Look good, feel good," says Matthew Roberts on why he dresses to impress during the school week. His favorite labels are J. Crew and Levi's but Roberts loves durable Filson coats, which he fell for while in the military for three years. "A lot of the pieces from my service in the military, I've incorporated into my wardrobe -- I can wear combat boots with a pair of jeans and M65 jackets with Levi's," he says.
Shirt: J. Crew
Jacket: Vans
Jeans: Levi's
Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

(Credit: Matthew T. Murray)

Nike sneakers are omnipresent throughout campus. Matthew Robert's Nike SB's are a sartorial hit and easier to wear than his combat boots.

(Credit: Matthew T. Murray)

Q. Lee is an international student from Korea. He says he wears "unique, dirty" pieces like this when he DJs back home in Korea at friends' parties and his favorite labels are Givenchy and Diesel.
Leather jacket: System Homme (a popular Korean label)
Jeans: DSquared
Shoes: Diesel

Although JanSport and Nike bags are the popular backpacks seen around campus, Q. Lee's leather Diesel backpack is a fashion-forward alternative.

(Credit: Matthew T. Murray)

Vlada Levitt is a senior psychology major. Her style mantra is to wear items that are in style and compliment her figure, and she turns to photo-sharing app Instagram for inspiration when in a style rut. "I follow a lot of California-inspired Instagram fashion pages so I pick up ideas from there."
Tweed coat: Guess
Scarf: Tommy Hillfiger
Riding boots: Etienne Aigner
Leggings and shirt: H&M

(Credit: Matthew T. Murray)

"I think accessorizing is the most important thing since it can transform your outfit so drastically," said Vlada Levitt, who wears an Americana-inspired Tommy Hilfiger scarf. Touches of Americana are perfect spring and summer staples so start picking up these patriotic pieces now.

(Credit: Matthew T. Murray)

Stefanie Tang was born and raised in New York City, which is why she considers her style "casual urbanite."
Flannel shirt: Thrifted
Black skinny jeans: BDG
Boots: Vintage
Beanie: American Apparel

(Credit: Matthew T. Murray)

"I take joy in putting outfits together and expressing my own personal aesthetic," says Stefanie Tang, a sociology major. "It makes me stand out." Tang is inspired by the style of Mary-Kate Olsen and newly-minted supermodel Cara Delevigne, who inspired the purchase of the UNIF graphic tank she wears above.